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Insulin Pen Types

There are two main types of insulin pens: reusable pens which require loading with separate insulin cartridges, and disposable pens which come pre-filled with insulin and are thrown away once empty. Reusable pens offer more affordability over time compared to disposable pens which have a higher per-use cost but don't require loading cartridges. When choosing a pen, factors to consider include the types of insulin compatible, dose size and increment options, remaining insulin indication, appearance and materials, and ease of use.

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108 views1 page

Insulin Pen Types

There are two main types of insulin pens: reusable pens which require loading with separate insulin cartridges, and disposable pens which come pre-filled with insulin and are thrown away once empty. Reusable pens offer more affordability over time compared to disposable pens which have a higher per-use cost but don't require loading cartridges. When choosing a pen, factors to consider include the types of insulin compatible, dose size and increment options, remaining insulin indication, appearance and materials, and ease of use.

Uploaded by

V Indra Darmawan
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Insulin Pen Types

While there are a number of different brands and models available, most insulin pens fall into one of
two groups: reusable pens and disposable pens.
Before using a reusable insulin pen, you must load it with a cartridge of insulin (sold
separately in boxes of five cartridges). Cartridges used in the U.S. today hold 150 or 300 units of
insulin. Depending on the size of your doses, a cartridge may give you enough insulin to last for
several days of injections. When the cartridge is empty, you throw it away and load a new
cartridge. With good care, a reusable pen can often be used for several years.

Disposable insulin pens come filled with insulin and are thrown away when they are
empty. Most disposable pens used in the U.S. today hold 300 units of insulin and are sold in boxes
of five. Disposable pens are generally more convenient than reusable pens because you do not
need to load any cartridges, but they usually cost more to use than reusable pens and cartridges.
Pen brands and models differ from one another in many ways. When working with your
healthcare team to select a pen, there are many factors to keep in mind, including:
The brands and types of insulin that are available for the pen.

The number of units of insulin that the pen holds when full.

The largest size dose that can be injected with the pen.

How finely the dose can be adjusted by the pen. For example, one pen may dose in
two-unit increments (2, 4, 6, etc.), another in one-unit increments (1, 2, 3, etc.) and yet
another in half-unit increments (1/2, 1, 1 1/2).

The way the pen indicates whether or not there is enough insulin left in it for your
entire dose.

The styling and appearance of the pen and the material (plastic or metal) that the
pen is made of.

The size of the numbers on the pen dose dial and whether they are magnified.

The amount of strength and dexterity required to operate the pen.

How to correct a mistake if you dial the wrong dose into the pen.

The way the pen indicates whether or not there is enough insulin left in it for your
entire dose.

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